Apprenticed: Berrien to Sarah Fraser (1869)

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } Know all men by these presents, that we Sarah Fraser principal and S.D. Bradwell as security are held and firmly bound unto the Honorable William P. Girardeau ordinary for said County and his successors in office in the sum of five hundred dollars for which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated at Hinesville, this [left blank] day of [left blank] in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine (1869).” 

“The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the Ordinary as aforesaid has this day bound unto the said Sarah Fraser Berrien a poor coloured orphan of said county an illegitimate child of Peggy a coloured woman of said county deceased, for the term of eleven years to learn the act or mistory of house service and husbandry.  Now should the said Sarah Fraser treat, use and deal with the said apprentice according to an act of the legislature in such case made and provided then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. “ Signed by Sarah Fraser and S. Dowse Bradwell [Transcriber’s Note: Samuel Dowse Bradwell. For more see: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14755239/samuel-dowse-bradwell] 

Apprenticeship Record

“State of Georgia, Liberty County } This indenture made and entered into by and between  William P. Girardeau Ordinary of the County aforesaid of the one part and Sarah Fraser of the same place of the other part, witnesseth that the said Ordinary, hath, this day, by the consent of all parties concerned bound and put as apprentice to the said Sarah Fraser, Berrien a poor colored boy of said County, an illegitimate child of Peggy a colored woman, deceased, formerly owned by said Sarah Fraser; the said Berrien to learn the art or mistery of house-service and husbandry; and after the manner of an apprentice to serve the said Sarah Fraser from the day of the date hereof, during the full term of eleven years, all of which time his said mistress he shall faithfully obey, he shall do no damage to his said mistress , nor see it done by others, without giving her notice thereof; he shall not contract matrimony within the said term, he shall not absent himself, by day or by night, from his said mistress’ service without her leave but in all things behave himself as a faithful apprentice sought to do during the said term; and the said mistress shall use the utmost of her Endeavours to teach and instruct the said apprentice, in the art or mistery of  house-service and husbandry, and provide for him the said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, apparel and lodging, and all other things fitting for an apprentice, during the said time, and the said mistress is to give the said apprentice, the schooling and education required by the act of the legislature in such case made and provided. 

In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this 14th day of May A.D. 1869.

[Signed] Sarah Fraser
W.P. Girardeau O.L.C.

In presence of
H. Andrews
S.A. Calder C.S.C.L.C.

Recorded this 28th day of May 1869
J.A. Girardeau Dept Clk Co.O.L.C..”